Debris collection system for a planer

ABSTRACT

A planer comprising: a body defining an exhaust aperture and including a wall, the wall defining a recess, a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the recess, a motor mounted within the body to rotatingly drive the cutting drum, the cutting action of the drum causing debris to be ejected from the recess; an airflow generator for producing an airflow within the body; a conduit defined within the body for directing the airflow, the conduit in communication with the exhaust aperture and connected to the recess for entraining and removing debris ejected from the recess; and a removable deflector having an inner end and an outer end, the deflector insertable through the exhaust aperture and connectable to the conduit for guiding the air flow and debris to outside of the body, and wherein the deflector is insertable at a downward slope from the outer end to the inner end.

The present invention relates to a planer and in particular to debriscollection containers for a planer and airflow and chip removal in aplaner.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Planers comprise a body mounted on a shoe. A rotatable cutting drum ismounted within the body which is rotatingly driven by an electric motoralso mounted within the body. An aperture is formed through the shoethrough which part of the periphery of the cutting drum extends. Cuttingblades are mounted on the drum which, as the drum rotates, periodicallypass through the aperture and below the shoe. In use, the shoe islocated on a work piece and the drum is rotatingly driven by the motor.When the blades pass through the aperture and move below the shoe, theblades engage with the workpiece and remove a thin slice of theworkpiece from the surface of the workpiece, producing shavings orchips. Due to the rotational movement of the drum, the shavings or chipsare thrown in a generally forward and upward direction in relation tothe planer. One problem is the removal of the shavings or chips from thecutting area of the planer. A second problem is the collection of theshavings or chips for disposal.

In some designs of planer, the chips or shaving are directed using adeflector which directs the shavings or chips side ways from the planer.A fan or impeller mounted on the drive shaft of the motor can be used togenerate an airflow which can be used to assist in the removal of theshavings or chips. DE19512262 discloses such a system. However, theproblem with existing designs are that they are not efficient at mixingthe air flow with the shavings or chips to entrain them for removal.

In order to collect the chips or shavings, a debris collection containeris attached to the aperture through which the chips or shavings areejected from the body of the planer. Existing designs of debriscollection containers comprise a metal wire frame which is covered by acloth bag such as a canvas bag. A tubular connector is attached to themetal wire frame and cloth bag and which can be attached to the ejectionaperture so that the chips or shavings can pass through the connectorfrom the planer to the debris collection container. A zipper is sewninto the side of the cloth bag which, when opened forms an aperturethrough which the shavings or chips can be emptied from the cloth bag. Aproblem with this design is that the hole formed by the unopened zipperis narrow making emptying the bag difficult. Furthermore, it isdifficult for an operator to insert a hand into the bag to assist in theremoval of the shavings or chips. The zipper can also scratch the handof the operator. The shavings or chips can further interfere with theoperation of the zipper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly there is provided a planer comprising a body comprising anaperture formed within it to accommodate a removable deflector, theaperture having at least one entrance;

-   -   the body being mounted on a shoe, the shoe having an aperture        formed through it;    -   a cutting drum rotatably mounted within a recess formed by a        wall within the body, a part of the periphery of the cutting        drum 6 projecting through the aperture in the shoe;    -   a motor mounted within the body to rotatingly drive the cutting        drum;    -   at least one cutting blade mounted on the periphery of the drum        capable of planing a work piece when the drum is rotating;    -   an airflow generator which creates an air flow when the planer        is in use within the body for use for entraining debris created        by the cutting action of the blade to assist in the removal of        the debris;    -   directional means which, when the planer is in use, directs the        airflow within the body towards the area where the cutting blade        cuts a work piece in order to entrain the debris in the airflow        within the body for removal from the body; and a removable        deflector capable of being slid into the aperture by sliding the        deflector through the entrance into the aperture for guiding the        air flow and entrained debris from within the body to outside of        the body when located within the aperture;    -   wherein the deflector slidingly locates within the body at a        down ward slope from the edge of the body towards the centre of        the body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A number of embodiments of the invention will now be described withreference to the following drawings of which:

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the planer with the deflector removed;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the planer of FIG. 1 with the deflectorinserted;

FIG. 3 shows the design of the deflector for use in the planer;

FIG. 4 shows a lengthwise vertical cross section of the planer of FIG. 1through the centre of the planer (excluding the motor and handle);

FIG. 5 shows a lengthwise vertical cross section taken through theplaner of FIG. 1 at the position indicated by dashed line Z in FIG. 2(excluding the handle);

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the first embodiment of a debriscollection container;

FIG. 7 shows an exploded view of the debris collection container of FIG.6 excluding the cloth bag and circular end piece;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the debris collection container ofFIG. 6 with the cap detached from the receptacle;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of the second embodiment of the debriscollection container;

FIG. 10 shows a side view of the debris collection container of FIG. 9with the cap detached;

FIG. 11 shows a sketch of the connection mechanism of the debriscollection container of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 shows a sketch of a top view of the planer of FIG. 1 with thedebris collection container of FIG. 9 attached;

FIG. 13 shows a lengthwise vertical cross section of the secondembodiment of the planer through the centre of the planer (excluding themotor and handle);

FIG. 14 shows a lengthwise vertical cross section taken through theplaner of FIG. 13 (excluding the handle);

FIG. 15 shows a downward side view of the planer of FIG. 13 with thedeflector inserted; FIG. 16 shows a lengthwise vertical cross sectiontaken through the third embodiment of the planer (excluding the handle);

FIG. 17 shows a vertical cross-section of the deflector located in afirst position within the planer in accordance with the fourthembodiment of the planer; and

FIG. 18 shows a vertical cross-section of the deflector located withinthe planer in a second position in accordance with the fourth embodimentof the planer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the planer will now be described with reference toFIG. 1 to 5. The planer comprises a body 2 having a handle 4 attached tothe top of the body 2. A cutting drum 6 is rotatingly mounted within arecess 50 in the body 2 of the planer. The body 2 of the planer ismounted on a shoe formed from two pieces 8, 10. The rear part 8 ismounted rearwardly of the drum 6. The forward part 10 is mounted forwardof the drum 6. An aperture 18 in the shoe is formed by the front 10 andrear sections of the shoe through which part of the periphery 20 of thecutting drum 6 extends. The height of the forward part 10 of the shoecan be adjusted in relation to the body 2 by the rotation of a knob 12mounted on the front of the body 2 of the planer. The operation of theknob 12 is well known and will not therefore be discussed any further.

Mounted within cavity 14 of the body 2 of the planer is an electricmotor 15 (shown schematically). The electric motor 15 rotatingly drivesthe cutting drum 6 via a drive belt (not shown). Cutting blades 16 aremounted within the cutting drum 6 and cut the workpiece upon which theplaner is mounted as the cutting drum rotates. The cutting blades 16, asthe drum 6 rotates periodically pass through the aperture 18 and belowthe shoe to cut the workpiece in a well known manner. The constructionof the electric motor 15, the cutting drum 6, the cutting blades 16 andthe belt drive system are well known in the art and are therefore notdiscussed any further.

-   -   Formed through the full width of the body 2 of the planar is a        tubular exhaust aperture 24 having two entrances: first exhaust        aperture 25 and second exhaust aperture 27. A deflector 26 which        is described in more detail below can be inserted into the        aperture 24 from either side. This enables the shavings or chips        to be directed to either side of the planar. A plastic (not        shown) cap is used to seal the other aperture.    -   Referring to FIG. 3, the deflector 26 in accordance with the        present invention is shown. The deflector 26 comprises two        sections 28, 30. The first outer section 28 is a tube of        circular cross-section which, when the deflector 26 is inserted        into the aperture 24 of the planer, projects outwardly from the        body 2 of the planer shown in FIG. 2. The second section 30 is a        curved section. The curved section has a substantially U shaped        cross-section which forms a trough 31 which curves over its        length. The sides 32 of the U-shaped curved trough 31 have been        flattened as best seen in FIGS. 4 and 5. This results in a ridge        34 along the length of the curved section 30 where the flat        surface 32 meets with a curved surface 36 of the U shaped cross        section. The shape of the cross-section of the curved section 30        of the deflector 26 is such that it fits snugly into the        aperture 24 in the side wall of the body 2 of the planer in        order to hold the deflector 26 securely and preventing it from        rotating within the aperture 24. Formed between the two sections        28, 30 is an annular rib 38 which surrounds the circumference of        the deflector 26. The outer diameter of the annular rib 38 is        greater than the diameter of the aperture 24 and thus prevents        the deflector 26 from being inserted too far into the planer.        When the deflector 24 is located within the body 2 of the        planer, the rib 38 abuts against a side wall of the body 2 of a        planer, the tubular section 28 remaining outside of the body.        The rib is angled 35 in relation to the longitudinal axis 33 of        the tubular section 28 so that it is less than ninety degrees as        shown in FIG. 3. This is to allow the tubular section to point        upwards when located within the body of the planer. The        deflector 26 is formed as a one-piece construction and is made        from plastic molded into the appropriate shape.

Mounted on the drive spindles of the motor 15 is a fan 39 (shownschematically) which generates an airflow. The air is directed into acavity 40 formed in the body of the planer. The air then passes througha conduit 42 over the top wall 44 which forms the top wall of theaperture 24. The direction of the airflow is indicated by Arrows W. Theairflow is then directed downwardly to an area 46 in the body 2 forwardof the wall 48 of the recess 50 in which the drum 6 is mounted. Anexpulsion aperture 52 is formed in the wall 48 of the recess 50 forwardof the cutting drum 6 through which any debris created by the cuttingaction of the blades 16 would be thrown by the rotating blades 16. Theairflow W is directed within the body to a point 46A below the expulsionaperture 52 in the wall of the recess and is directed to be blown acrossthe aperture 52 within the body in a direction W having an acute angleto the direction of travel of any debris (shown by Arrow T) in order toentrain the debris in the airflow within the body.

The airflow W and entrained debris is directed upwardly until it engageswith the underside of the curved section 30 of the deflector 26 which islocated within the aperture 24 when the planer is in use. The airflow Wand entrained debris is then directed out of the side of the planerthrough the tubular section 28 and into a debris collection container.

A second embodiment of the planer will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 13 to 15. Where the same features are shown in secondembodiment are the same as those in the first, the same referencenumbers have been used. The second embodiment is exactly the same as thefirst embodiment except that the curved section 30 of the deflectorforms the lower wall of the conduit 42 through which the airflow isdirected over the deflector 26. The aperture has no upper wall withinthe body 2 of the planer.

When the deflector 26 is located within the aperture 24, the flat sidewalls 32 of the deflector 26 engage with internal walls 54 of the bodyand form an air tight seal preventing air which is passing over thedeflector 26 from travelling between the flat walls 32 of the deflectorand the internal wall 54 of the body ensuring it travels forward anddownward to the point 46 below the expulsion aperture 52 for entrainingof the debris.

Because the deflector 26 is angled downwardly by the angle 35 of the rib38 being non perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 33 of the deflector,a large cavity is formed above the deflector 26 allowing air to easilypass over the top of the deflector 26. FIG. 15 shows a planer accordingto the second embodiment. The curve section 30 can be seen through theentrance of the aperture 24.

A third embodiment of the planer will now be described with reference toFIG. 16. Where the same features are shown in third embodiment are thesame as those in the first, the same reference numbers have been used.The third embodiment is exactly the same as the first embodiment exceptthat a vent or nozzle 56 has been added within the body above the area46 in the body 2 forward of the wall 48 of the recess 50 in which thedrum 6 is mounted. The nozzle 56 directs air into the path of the airwith entrained debris at an acute angle approximately at the same heightas the top of the expulsion aperture 52 formed in the wall 48 of therecess 52 forward of the cutting drum 6 through which any debris createdby the cutting action of the blades 16 would be thrown by the rotatingblades 16. It will be appreciated that the vent 56 can be locatedslightly lower down relative to the adjacent aperture 52.

A fourth embodiment of the planer will now be described with referenceto FIGS. 17 and 18. Where the same features are shown in the fourthembodiment are the same as those shown in the first embodiment, the samereference numbers have been used. The fourth embodiments is similar tothe first embodiment except that a curved pivotal flap 200 is pivotallymounted within the aperture 24 where the deflector 26 is located.

The curved pivotal flap 200 is mounted about an axis 202 which extendsin a vertical plane through the center of the width of the body 2 of theplaner. The axis 202 is angled downwardly by a small amount relative tothe horizontal so that the curved pivotal flap 200 pivots between aninternal wall 206 of the body of the planer forming the top wall of theaperture 24 to the bottom side wall 208 of the entrance of the aperture24. The curved pivotal flap 200 extends from the axis of pivot 202 tothe right side 204 of the body 2 of the planer as shown in FIGS. 17 and18. The curved pivotal flap 200 is capable of pivoting from a positionindicated by reference letter Q through the position indicated byreference letter R shown in dashed lines in FIG. 17 to a positionindicated by reference letter S also indicated in FIG. 17 by dashedlines but shown as a solid line in. A spring 2O9 biases the curvedpivotal flap to the lower position indicated by reference letter Q asshown in FIG. 17.

When the deflector 26 is not located within the planer, the curvedpivotal flap 200 is biased to a downward position indicated by referenceletter Q. When the flap 200 is located in this position, it forms anupper wall for right half of the aperture 24 as viewed in FIG. 17 whichis aligned with the upper wall 210 of the left hand side of the aperture24 formed by the internal structure of the body 2 of the planer toproduce a continuous curved upper surface of the aperture 24. When thecurved pivotal flap is in its downward position, it completely blocksthe right hand entrance 212 to the aperture 24 from the chamber 214where the air and entrained debris pass from the drum in order to beexpelled.

When the deflector 26 is inserted into the aperture 24 from theleft-hand side as shown in FIG. 17, the second section 30 of thedeflector 26 is located adjacent the upper wall 210 of the left handside of the aperture 24 formed by the internal structure of the body 2and by the curved pivotal flap 200 on the right hand side of theaperture 24. The insertion of the curved second section 30 of thedeflector 26 causes no movement of the curved pivotal flap 200. Theshape of the curved pivotal flap 200, both in cross-section andlengthwise, is such that it lies flush against the end part of thecurved second section 30 of the deflector 26.

When an operator tries to insert the deflector 26 from the right-handside of the planer as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, the curved section 30 ofthe deflector 26 is prevented from entering the aperture 24 by thecurved pivotal flap 200 being located in its lower position indicated byreference letter Q due to the biasing force of the spring. In order foran operator to insert the deflector 26 into the aperture 24, theoperator pivots the curved pivotal flap 200 against the biasing force ofthe spring from the position indicated by reference letter Q to theposition indicated by reference letter S as shown in FIG. 18. Theoperator can then insert the deflector 26 into the aperture 24. When thecurved second section 30 of the deflector 26 is located within the body2 of the planer, the curved pivotal flap 200 is sandwiched between theinternal wall of the body 2 of the planer and the second section 30 ofthe deflector, the shape of the curved pivotal flap 200 again being suchthat it lies flush against the curved second section of the deflector26.

A grip portion 216 is attached to the end of the curved pivotal flap 200to enable the fingers of an operator to push the curved pivotal flapagainst biasing force of the spring.

The deflector 26 deflects the air and any entrained debris or chipseither to the left when the deflector 26 is located from the left-handside as shown in FIG. 17 in the direction indicated by reference letterT or to the right when the deflector 26 is located from the right-handside of the planer as shown in FIG. 18 indicated by letter W. When thedeflector is not inserted into the aperture 24, the curved pivotal flap200 is in its lowest position as indicated by reference letter Q,blocking the right hand entrance 212 of the aperture. As such, if theplaner is operated without the deflector 26 inserted, the curved shapeof the curved pivotal flap with the internal wall will direct the airand any entrained debris or chips towards the left enabling the planerto operate as if the deflector 26 was inserted into the left hand sideof the body to of the planer.

FIGS. 6 to 8 show a first embodiment of a debris collection containerwhich can be used with any of the four embodiments of planer previouslydescribed. The debris collection container comprises two sections, anend cap section 60 and the receptacle 70. The end cap section 60 ismanufactured in a one-piece construction from transparent plastic. Theend cap section 60 comprises a tubular connection section 62 whichconnects to the first tubular section 28 of the deflector 26. Thetubular connection section 62 has a circular aperture (not shown) at oneend whilst the other end meets with a dome shaped section or partspherical section 64. The dome shaped section 64 comprises a rim 66which surrounds a large aperture formed in the base of the dome shapesection 64. The rim 66 comprises an L-shaped slot 68 which forms part ofa bayonet connection system for use in connecting the end cap section 60to the receptacle 70. Air and entrained debris pass through the aperturein the end of the tubular connection section 62, through the tubularconnection section 62 and into the dome shape section 64 before beingexpelled from the end cap section 60 through the large aperture in thebase of the dome 64. The shape of the dome is such that it acts as adeflector, bending the air and entrained debris through ninety degreesso that the air and entrained debris are travelling perpendicular to thedirection they were travelling in when they were passing through thetubular connection section 62. By constructing the dome shape section 64in transparent plastic, the operator of the planer can look into thedebris collection container to determine how full container is.Furthermore, as the planer is operating, the operator will be able tosee the entrained debris passing through the tubular connection section62 and pass through the dome section thereby enabling the operator tosee that the planer is working correctly.

The receptacle 70 comprises a one end an annular plastic ring 72 whichsurrounds a large circular aperture which forms of the entrance to thereceptacle 70. The annular plastic ring 72 is divided lengthwise intotwo halves, a front half 74 having a diameter less than that of the inthe diameter of the rim 66 of the dome shaped section 64 of the end capsection 60, and a second rear half 76 having a diameter equal to that ofthe outer diameter of the rim of the dome shape section 64 of the endcap section 60. A lip 78 is formed between the front and rear sections74, 76 which abuts against the side of the rim of the dome shapedsection 64 of the end cap section 60 when the end cap section isconnected to the receptacle. Two pins 80 project radially outwardly fromthe surface of the front half. The pins are used as part of a bayonetconnection to connect the end cap section to the receptacle by slidinginto the L-shaped slot 68 formed in the rim 66 of the end cap section inconnecting receptacle to the end cap section 60 in well known manner.

Located at the other end of the receptacle is a circular end piece 82formed from plastic. The circular end piece forms a base of thereceptacle and can be manufactured from transparent plastic material toenable an operator to view inside the receptacle from the base. Thecircular end piece 82 has a diameter which is the same as that of theannular plastic ring 72. A helical spring 84 having the same diameter asthat of the annular plastic ring 72 and the circular end piece 82connects between the annular plastic ring 72 and the circular end piece82 and holds the relative positions of the two parts. A tubular shapedcloth bag 86 connects between the plastic annular ring 72 and thecircular end piece 82 and surrounds the helical spring. The spring actsto maintain the shape of the circular receptacle and to keep thecircular cloth sheaf in shape.

Formed on the annular plastic ring is a plastic catch 88. Formed on thecircular end piece is a U-shaped plastic loop 90 which extends from thatthe circular end piece 82 towards the annular plastic ring 72. Thelocation of the U-shaped plastic loop 90 results in that when that thehelical spring 84 is compressed by moving the circular end piece 82towards the annular plastic ring 72, the loop 90 engages with andattaches to the plastic catch 88. This is ideal for storage. During use,the U-shaped plastic loop 90 is released from the catch and allows thehelical spring 84 to bias the circular end piece 82 away from theannular plastic ring 72 to maximize the volume of space within thereceptacle 70. The helical spring maintains the shape of the receptaclethe relative positions of the plastic annular is ring 72 and thecircular end piece 82. However, due to the resilient nature of thehelical spring 84, the structure allows some relative movements betweenthe two enabling flexibility within the receptacle. However, when thereceptacle is not in use, the helical spring 84 can be compressed sothat the circular end piece 82 is moved towards the annular plastic ring72 until the U-shaped plastic loop 90 engages with the plastic catch 88to secure the circular end piece 82 to the annular ring 72 maintainingthe helical spring 84 under compression and substantially reducing thevolume of the space within the receptacle. This is ideal for storagepurposes.

In use, the tubular connection section of the end cap is connected tothe deflector 26 on the planer. The receptacle 70 is connected to theend cap section by use of the bayonet connector. The circular end piece82 is disconnected from the catch 88 on the annular plastic ring 72 toallow the helical spring 84 to bias the circular end piece 82 away fromthe plastic annular ring 72 generating the shape of the container.

Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, a second embodiment of the debris collectioncontainer is shown. The debris collection container comprises an end cap100 and a receptacle 102 which is capable of being attached to the endcap 100. The end cap 100 is manufactured in a one-piece constructionfrom transparent plastic. The end cap 100 comprises a tubular connectionsection 104 which connects to the first outer section 28 of thedeflector 26. The tubular connection section 104 has a circular apertureat one end whilst the other end meets with a dome shaped orsemi-spherical section 106. The dome shape section 106 is mounted on arectangular base 108 which comprises a rectangular rim 110 whichsurrounds a large aperture formed in the base of the dome shape section106. The rim 110 comprises a T-shaped slot 112 which forms part of aconnection system for use in connecting the end cap 100 to thereceptacle 102. Air and entrained debris pass through the aperture inthe end of the tubular connection section 104, through the tubularconnection section and into the dome shape section 106 before beingexpelled from the end cap 100 through the large aperture in the base 108of the dome. The shape of the dome 106 is such that it acts as adeflector for the air and entrained debris and causes it to bend throughninety degrees so that the air and entrained debris are travellingperpendicular to the direction they were travelling in when they werepassing through the tubular connection section 104. By constructing theend cap 100 in transparent plastic, the operator of the planer can lookinto the debris collection container to determine how full the containeris. Furthermore, as the planer is operating, the operator will be ableto see the entrained debris passing through the tubular connectionsection and pass through the dome section thereby enabling the operatorto see that the planer is working correctly.

The receptacle comprises a rectangular plastic frame 114 which acts asan entrance for the receptacle 102. Attached to the rectangular plasticframe 114 is a large rectangular metal frame (not shown) made from stiffmetal wire which forms of the structure of the receptacle. Attached tothe rectangular plastic frame 114 and covering the large rectangularmetal frame is a bag 116 made from cloth. The use of a cloth bagcovering a metal frame is well know whether such will not be discussedany further.

Mounted within the rectangular plastic frame are two C shaped lockingmembers 118 as shown in FIG. 11 which are used to lock the receptacle102 to the end cap 100. The method of mounting is not shown. The two Cshaped locking members 118 are mounted within the rectangular plasticframe 114 so that the ends 120 of each of the two arms of the C shapedlocking members 118 face each other as shown in FIG. 11. Formed on theends of the two arms of the two C shaped locking members 118 are pegs122 which project outwardly. Helical springs 124 are mounted between theends 120 of each pair of corresponding arms in order to bias the two Cshaped locking members 118 outwardly away from each other as indicatedby Arrows X. Rod s126 is mounted within the helical springs to keep thehelical springs 124 in position. Holes are formed within the rectangularplastic frame to enable the fingers of an operator to engage with thetwo C shaped locking members to push them towards each other against thebiasing force of the springs 124.

In order to attach the receptacle 102 to the end cap 100, an operatorwould squeeze the two C shaped locking members 118 together against thebiasing force of the springs 124 moving the pegs 122 formed on the ends120 of the arms 118 of each of the two C shaped locking mechanisms 118towards each other. Whilst held in this position, the pegs 122 are ableto pass through the entrance of the T-shaped slot 112 in the end cap100. The operator can then the push the end cap 100 towards thereceptacle 102, the pegs 122 moving further into the T-shaped slot 112until they become aligned with the top section of the T-shaped slot 112.The operator then releases the C shaped locking members 118 to allowthem to move outwardly due to the biasing force of the springs 124causing the pegs 122 to travel outwardly in the top section of theT-shaped slot 112 thus locking the receptacle 102 to the end cap 100.

FIG. 12 shows a view of the second embodiment of the debris collectioncontainer attached to the planer. As can be seen, the debris collectioncontainer is located along side the planer and the longitudinal axis 132of the debris container extends in parallel to the longitudinal axis 130of the planer.

1. A planer comprising: a shoe, the shoe defining a first aperture; abody mounted on the shoe, the body defining an exhaust passage having afirst exhaust aperture on a first side of the body and a second exhaustaperture on a second side of the body, and including a wall, the walldefining a recess; a cutting drum rotatably mounted within the recess,the drum having a periphery and a portion of the periphery of thecutting drum projects through said first aperture in the shoe; anexpulsion aperture formed in said wall connecting said recess to saidexhaust passage, the exhaust passage extending from the expulsionaperture to the exhaust apertures; a motor mounted within the body torotatingly drive the cutting drum; a cutting blade mounted on theperiphery of the drum and adapted for cutting a work piece when the drumis rotating, the cutting action of the blade causing debris created bythe cutting to be ejected from the recess through said expulsionaperture into said exhaust passage; an airflow generator comprising afan for producing an airflow within the body; a conduit defined withinthe body for directing the airflow from said airflow generator through aport into said exhaust passage at a location adjacent said expulsionaperture; wherein said exhaust passage is configured so that the airflowfrom said conduit that is directed through said port into the exhaustpassage flows in a substantially upward direction from said port to saidfirst and second exhaust apertures to entrain and remove debris ejectedfrom the recess; and a removable deflector having an inner end and anouter end, the deflector insertable through one of the first exhaustaperture and the second exhaust aperture and connectable to the exhaustpassage for guiding the airflow and entrained debris from within thebody to outside of the body.
 2. The planer of claim 1 wherein thecutting action of the blade causes debris created by the cutting to beejected from the recess through the expulsion aperture and into theexhaust passage substantially along a first direction, and at least apart of said port is located at a point below the expulsion aperturethat the airflow from said conduit is blown across the expulsionaperture substantially along a second direction where the firstdirection of the debris and the second direction of the airflowintersect at an acute angle.
 3. The planer of claim 2 wherein a walldefining the expulsion aperture also defines a top portion of theexpulsion aperture, said top portion located at a height above the shoe,and said port further defines a nozzle connecting the conduit to theexhaust passage at substantially the same height as the top portion ofthe expulsion aperture, and the airflow from the conduit divides into afirst part and a second part, the first part of the airflow passes thepoint below the expulsion aperture before flowing past the expulsionaperture, and the second part of the airflow passes through the nozzleand then exits the nozzle substantially along a third direction, and thethird direction of nozzle airflow and the first direction of the debrisintersect at an acute angle.
 4. The planer of claim 2 wherein theconduit directs the airflow over the removable deflector prior todirecting the airflow to the point below the expulsion aperture.
 5. Theplaner of claim 4 wherein the removable deflector defines a portion ofthe conduit where the airflow passes over the deflector.
 6. The planerof claim 1 further comprising a flap movable from a first position wherethe flap closes the first exhaust aperture to a second position wherethe flap does not close the first exhaust aperture.
 7. The planer ofclaim 1 further comprising a flap movable from a first position wherethe flap closes the first exhaust aperture to a second position wherethe flap closes the second exhaust aperture.
 8. The planer of claim 7wherein the flap extends from the body, the flap directs the airflow andentrained debris through the second exhaust aperture.
 9. The planer ofclaim 8 wherein the flap is pivotally mounted within the body andpivotable between the first position and the second position.
 10. Theplaner of claim 9 wherein the flap extends from a pivot axis to a sideof the planer.
 11. The planer of claim 6 wherein the flap is resilientlybiased to the first position.
 12. The planer of claim 11 furthercomprising a spring, the spring biasing the flap to the first position.13. The planer of claim 1 wherein said conduit connects to said exhaustpassage through said port at a location at or below said expulsionaperture.
 14. The planer of claim 13 wherein the airflow from saidconduit is directed to be blown across said expulsion aperture.
 15. Theplaner of claim 14 wherein the airflow from said conduit is directed tobe blown across said expulsion aperture at an acute angle relative tothe direction of travel of any debris ejected from said recess.
 16. Theplaner of claim 13 wherein said conduit connects to said exhaust passagethrough said port at a first location below said expulsion aperture andat a second location at approximately the same height as said expulsionaperture.
 17. The planer of claim 1 wherein said expulsion aperture islocated adjacent said first aperture in the shoe.
 18. The planer ofclaim 13 wherein the conduit is configured within the body to directairflow over a top portion of the exhaust apertures before said airflowenters the exhaust passage through said port.
 19. The planer of claim 1wherein the conduit is configured within the body to direct airflow overa top portion of the exhaust apertures before said airflow enters theexhaust passage through said port.